COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A spokesman for Ohio's attorney general says he will continue to prosecute an alleged scam artist accused of collecting as much as $100 million ostensibly for Navy veterans.

A Democratic challenger to Republican Attorney General Mike DeWine is raising questions about his handling of the case against the man who calls himself Bobby Thompson.

The case doesn't address Thompson's donations to politicians, including DeWine himself. He received $1,000 during his unsuccessful U.S. Senate re-election bid in 2006.

Democrat David Pepper said Friday that the donation creates a conflict of interest and DeWine should recuse himself.

DeWine's office said it reviewed the political contributions made by Thompson and his political action committee. And a spokesman says DeWine has no intention or ethical obligation to step aside from the bipartisan investigation.